The Strand Study Bible

SONG OF SOLOMON SONG OF SOLOMON the 1,005 songs Solomon composed (I Ki 4:32), this was the only one inspired by God. The following characteristics (vs 2-3) constitute what a good relationship should look like. 1:2 a A kiss symbolizes friendship (Mt 26:47-50), and friendship is based on commitment ( Prov 17:17 ), which is a picture of faith (Jn 15:14). In essence, what the Shulamite bride (a picture of the Church) was saying to Solomon (a picture of CHRIST ) was: Let your friendship towards me ( Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth ), i.e., your commitment to me, be the most important characteristic in our relationship. * The first characteristic to a good relationship is a commitment to the relationship itself. It’s called friendship ( II Pet 1:5 ). Three thoughts: 1. Real friendships don’t end just because people hurt you (Mt 26:47-50) Anyone who understands real friendship understands this. The reason people end friendships is because they didn’t understand friendship to begin with, no matter what they thought they had. Real friendships don’t end. Jesus said to Judas, “ Even though you hurt me by betraying me, I will not hurt or betray you .” Jesus said to Judas, “ I am still your friend. In fact, I’m still here to save you if you want .” Don’t think for a minute that Jesus wrote Judas off just because he betrayed Him; just because he hurt Him. Jesus called him “Friend.” Real friendships don’t write people off just because they were hurt. 2. Real friendships don’t end just because people disappoint you (Lk 7:34) Nobody disappoints the Lord more than sinners do (Hab 1:12-13 and Prov 6:16-19). And yet what was the Lord known for? He was known for being a friend to sinners! Real friendships don’t write people off just because they were disappointed by someone else’ actions. 3. Real friendships don’t end just because you went your separate ways (Acts 15:36-40) Real friendships are never partial friendships. Just because you got divorced and went your separate ways doesn’t mean the friendship should be over. It’s ok to “agree to disagree” and to even go your separate ways, but real friendships look beyond the hurt and disappointment and the parting of the ways (I Cor 9:6 and Colo 4:10). If you’ll notice, the Shulamite bride is addressing the bridegroom here, not vice-versa. Meaning: The Church (Christians) must recognize the commitment to friendship on the part of the BRIDEGROOM ( CHRIST ) before they can reciprocate it towards others around them. NOTE – Solomon’s commitment to this girl parallels CHRIST’S commitment to us (the Church). 1:2b This word ( love ) is plural in number ( loves ) and speaks of “life” itself. Meaning: The life of Solomon (his presence) was more valuable to the Shulamite girl than the best entertainment ( wine ) money could buy. Like his father (David) before him, Solomon started out as a forthright man; a man who “wanted” what was right (I Ki 2:1 – 9:9 and Prov 31:10b) . That in itself made his life most attractable. * The second characteristic to a good relationship is a commitment to virtue –virtue being the “want” to do right ( Acts 10:35 ). It’s called the power of your presence . Eight questions: 1029 Solomon’s personal presence (his virtue) meant more to this Shulamite girl than the best that life could offer. Is your personal presence better to people than merriment? Do the relationships you possess like just you or do they have to have something else to go along with you in order to go along with you? The “power of your presence” determines the “rapport of your relationship.” NOTE – Solomon’s love for this girl parallels CHRIST’S love for us (the Church - Rom 8:38-39 and II Cor 5:14). 1:3 Solomon was not only a friend to this Shulamite girl (vs 2a), and forthright (vs 2b), but he was fragrant to her as well ( thy name is as ointment poured forth ), that is, he was committed to building biblical character. * The third characteristic to a good relationship is a commitment to biblical character ( Isa 1: 16- 17 ). It’s called temperance (building biblical character where you live – Prov 14:1 and II Pet 1:6)., Two ingredients: 1. knowledge (II Cor 2:15) 2. sacrifice (Phil 4:18 and Heb 13:15-16) NOTE – Solomon’s fragrance to this girl parallels CHRIST’S fragrance to us (the Church - Psa 45:6-8). 1:4a The reason this Shulamite girl ran after Solomon should be the same reason the bride of CHRIST (the Church) should run after Jesus. Because Solomon was committed to the relationship (she experienced his friendship ), committed to virtue (she 1. What does your personal presence say to others around you? 2. Would they rather hang with you or with fortune (Rev 2:8-9)? 3. Would they rather hang with you or with fame (Psa 84:8-10)? 4. Would they rather hang with you or with family (Mt 4:18-22)? 5. Would they rather hang with you or with friends (Lk 10:38-42)? 6. Would they rather hang with you or with fellow-workers (Jn 6:66-68)? 7. Does your personal presence draw people to want what’s right? 8. Are people more spiritual around you or are they more secular (Mt 19:27-29)?